NASCAR's best and worst on TV

Few things spark debate among NASCAR fans more than the TV networks that cover the sport and the announcers that call the action and offer analysis each week.

Some fans like a television announcer who is bubbling with enthusiasm and having fun in the TV booth, even if that means cracking a bad joke here and there.

Some prefer a more calm approach, one where there’s less talking and more focus on the action on the track.

Some want all the information they can get. Others don’t want to get overwhelmed by minutiae.

That was apparent when Sporting News asked fans to rank the best and worst NASCAR announcers. We asked fans which network has the best NASCAR telecasts, and to rank the three best and worst announcers.

The survey attracted 5,247 votes, with many of the respondents providing comments to support their answers.

Based on the informal survey, some announcers are universally loved or universally panned. But there are some —like former drivers Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace and Kyle Petty — who are both loved and hated, depending on the viewer.

In ranking the commentators, we awarded three points for those who were voted the best, two points for second-best and one for third-best. We did the same under the “worst” category. We then added those together, took the number of “best” points and divided it into the number of total points to give us a best-to-worst ratio.

Here’s a look at the results, followed by a detailed analysis of each announcer, based on input from fans.

Joy, who was an accomplished sports-car racer, spent 14 years (1977-1990) at Motor Racing Network and has spent 30 years as part of the NASCAR broadcasts at CBS, TNT and Fox. He has been the play-by-play announcer with Fox since the network began televising NASCAR races in 2001.

Why he’s the best (comments from the survey):

“Anyone who can herd the likes of DW and Mac is a consummate professional and is worthy of number one status.”

“Best lap-by-lap guy. Never seems to make a mistake, and isn't generic. He adds excitement to the broadcast.”

“Enthusiastic calls! Never monotone or bored by the action taking place on track.”

“The dude is all about racing. He knows it, he knows the racers, he gets the business of racing. Besides, he retweeted me once. Seriously, he gets it.”

“Mike Joy is one of the nicest guys along with being one of the humblest. Mike always gives credit to those around him and embraces the team he is on. I've never seen him stroke his own ego ever. He has never changed from the time I started watching the occasional race 15 years ago to now.”

“When you watch Cup races Mike Joy's voice makes it sound like it could be a race from Petty and Earnhardt's heydays.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from the survey):

“Seems to dumb down too much. We are smarter than you give us credit for.”

Bestwick began his career as a turn announcer in 1986 for MRN, where he worked for nearly 15 years. Was play-by-play announcer from 1988-2000. Bestwick joined the NBC and TNT broadcast teams in 2001 and then went to ESPN in 2007.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“Allen Bestwick is my all-time favorite. He calls the best finishes to NNS & Cup races that I've heard. He always knows what's going on and is very informed on the history of NASCAR. It's very sad that he's leaving NASCAR in 2015.”

“Because he is the best. Period. No games. No self-promotion. No manufacturer or driver bias. Well spoken. Doesn't talk over others. Adds meaningful commentary.”

“He has no favorites — that you can tell. He is a trained professional and smooth. Talks to audience, doesn't act stupid and goofy. Directs attention to race, not himself.”

“His knowledge about the sport. Gives great play by play of the race. Analytical views are great to listen to. He knows the right questions to ask his fellow announcers. He keeps you interested in the race.”

“Knowledge of the sport. He is someone I would enjoy watching a race with sitting in my living room or in the grandstands.”

“Simply the best. His attitude and charisma about the race. He takes it seriously while not treating the viewers like fools that need to be spoon-fed info about who they should root for and how great the racing is.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from survey):

“States the obvious and beats some ideas to death (i.e. who's in and out of the Chase during the entire Richmond race).

“I was disappointed when they brought him back to the studio after his stint as a pit reporter. He has a dry, very unfriendly sense of humor; his monotone voice drives me up the wall!”

A crew chief from 1985-2000, McReynolds earned 23 Cup wins and 21 poles. He guided Dale Earnhardt to his first Daytona 500 victory in 1998. He joined Fox in 2001.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“Extremely informative, great delivery, always has something compelling to share.”

“Has in-depth knowledge of the sport he is commentating on. And even though he doesn't so much use the English language as wield it, he manages to communicate a fair portion of what he knows. And he's got obvious passion for the sport, and is a generally likable on-air.”

“Larry seems like the nicest guy, but the way he slays the English language gives the entire sport a black eye. It reinforces negative stereotypes that NASCAR fans are ignorant rednecks. I've heard some people find his inarticulate nature to be quaint and genuine. It might be, but it makes me cringe and can't do anything to help the sport's image outside of the deep South.”

“Trying to 'over-top' Waltrip doesn't make for good TV. Better in technical support role vs. in the booth role.”

“He talks too much. I like Larry Mac. I like that he is so knowledgeable. But I don’t want to hear all that crap when I am watching a race. I am watching a race. I am not watching Race Hub or NASCAR Now, or any other show to get the breakdown on the previous race. I want to know about the action on the track. Period. Call the action.”

A three-time Cup champion and winner of 84 Cup races, Waltrip was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012. He has been Fox’s lead analyst in the broadcast booth since the network began doing races in 2001.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“I think he is hilarious and love his insight, though he drools over Danica and Junior too much sometimes.”

“He's funny, knows what he's talking about. He has a great personality and is a very likeable guy overall. I understand what he's saying and am interested in what he's talking about, and I love all his quirks, like 'Boogity, boogity.’”

“Most colorful. A master at explaining his vast knowledge of racing from a driver standpoint. Old-school racing master that is still as hip as they come.”

“He's funny, easy to relate to, knows what he's talking about, and I love his humor. He is an excellent ambassador for NASCAR.”

“He's a champion in the car and booth. Has both drivers experience and mechanical knowledge. You can feel his passion for the sport.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from survey):

“All he talks about is Danica, Danica, Danica, Junior, Junior, Junior and makes excuses for Danica when she crashes out. And that crap he says when the race starts, I turn the sound off. He says what NASCAR wants him to say, not what the fans need to hear.”

“Three words: boogity, boogity, boogity.”

“When he worked Nationwide races for TNN in the late 90s he showed tremendous potential as the next Ned Jarrett or Benny Parsons. Fox has ruined him.”

“Over the top … corny, unprofessional, gets excited for no reason.”

“… So tired of hearing ‘boogity, boogity, boogity.’ I loved him as a driver, can’t stand him as an announcer.”

Jarrett, a 2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, was the 1999 Cup champion. A three-time Daytona 500 winner, Jarrett earned 32 career Cup wins. He joined ESPN for select telecasts in 2007 and became ESPN’s lead NASCAR analyst in 2008.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“DJ takes his experience and applies it to what he sees without talking over the viewer’s head and he does so in a non-judgmental and non-biased way. If he has a favorite, you don't know it.”

“He is a past champion and knows what he is talking about without trying to take over the broadcast with stupid stories.”

“Very knowledgeable and fair, doesn't talk incessantly about his own career.”

“Knowledge of the sport, but the professionalism to know he doesn't have to prove it by talking about himself all the time, aka the ‘Waltrip’ method.”

“He's one of the very few NASCAR broadcasters that can combine the ability to both drive a racecar and use proper grammar when he talks.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from survey):

“Have no problem with DJ as a driver or person, I actually was a fan of his when he drove. Just considering Dale's dad is one of the greatest broadcasters ever, Dale is a disappointment. He's rather annoying and talks at everyone like they've never seen NASCAR before.”

“Least exciting. Not a bad person, just can't get excited about what he is saying. Great guy, so-so commentator.”

A winner of eight Cup races in 829 starts from 1979-2008, the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty has grown up in racing. He works on a variety of racing telecasts for Fox Sports 1 in addition to his work for TNT.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“Clearly not afraid to speak the truth and say what is really happening on and off the track. Most announcers tell us what we are already able to view ourselves, but Kyle takes us away from that and gives us the real story of why certain things on track are happening. His opinions on talk shows are much respected, too.”

“This one even surprised me cause I was not a fan of him beforehand. But he is very knowledgeable and will say the truth. If the race is a blowout, he says it’s a blowout. … Kyle calls it how he sees it, and although I do not always agree, I respect that a lot.”

“He doesn't jump on the media bandwagon just because it's the prevailing spin on this week’s big topic. If he disagrees, he says so, even if his opinion isn't a popular one.”

“Just the facts and does not care about the NASCAR party line.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from survey):

“Too opinionated, comes off as a jerk and doesn’t take the time to get the facts straight before running his mouth. His job as a broadcaster, like his job as a driver, were given to him because of lineage not skill, although he is better at articulating than driving.”

“Would say the sky is green to get a rise out of fans.”

“You know what I mean? His favorite quote. If we knew what he meant, he wouldn't have to tell us.”

“Besides being honest, he is brutal. He just rips people apart and has no compassion until he goes too far and has to apologize for something stupid he said or did. It's time to get a haircut!"

“He is not as connected to the garage as other broadcasters. It’s just his opinion and he doesn't look at numbers. Too stuck in the past on things. No real connection to today’s drivers, just talks to cause controversy. It’s distracting.”

Voted by the media in 2006 as the greatest crew chief of all time, Evernham led Jeff Gordon to 47 wins and three Cup titles from 1993-2000. He then owned his own team before selling the majority of it in 2007. He worked as an ESPN analyst up until this season.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“Always professional. Doesn't drink the Kool-Aid. Class act. Smart. Sense of humor. I could go on but I'd probably run out of room. Ray is as close to perfect as an announcer as there is.”

“He brings so much knowledge from being involved in the sport in many different ways. He doesn't always sugarcoat things either, which is nice.”

“Ray's the greatest crew chief of all-time. He knows his stuff, says it the way it is and knows what he's talking about.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from survey):

“I find Ray simply uninteresting most of the time.”

“No personality, should have more input based on his background.”

“While he is informative to listen to, he keeps a biased opinion towards the 24 (Gordon).”

Dallenbach has worked as an analyst for TNT since 2001 following a diverse racing career that saw him compete in 226 Cup races, with a best finish of second twice. Also won the Rolex 24 At Daytona four times.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“Overall knowledge. Former driver but not a big winner so doesn’t think he knows it all. Voice doesn’t grate on my nerves, good disposition/sense of humor during broadcast. Just plain pleasant to listen too. Knows his car techno.”

“He is not arrogant and announces the race rather than talk just to be heard.”

“Brings humor to the broadcast without sounding like he is trying too hard.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from survey):

“Overreacts to non-incidents on the track. Gasping and yelling ‘whoa’ to nothing seems like fabricated drama and keeps me on edge as a viewer, in a negative way.”

“I've never been impressed with his credentials compared to other ex-driver commentators. Has never seemed particularly insightful to me.”

“Not credible. (TNT) is in it for six weeks, and then out.”

“The ‘driver’ on a broadcast team can't be a guy who has the same amount of Cup wins as me.”

Wallace has 344 Cup starts and 543 Nationwide starts in a career that started in 1988. Has nine career Nationwide wins and still races primarily at short tracks across the country when he’s not working as a studio analyst for Fox Sports 1. He gained popularity working for FS1 predecessor Speed as part of its prerace and postrace shows.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“Energetic, funny, tells you from his heart. He is not putting on a fake TV personality. Down to earth.”

“He's a driver himself. What you see is what you get with Kenny. He is too damn funny.”

“He is a fan and a racer, not afraid to state his opinion, even when it isn't the popular opinion.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from survey):

“Annoying laugh, always raising his voice over others. Yuck!”

“Talks incessantly without saying anything. Means well but I can't listen to him.”

A 30-year veteran of the Sprint Cup Series, Waltrip has four career wins (two in the Daytona 500) in 775 career starts. The co-owner and co-founder of Michael Waltrip Racing, Waltrip has driven in three to four races a year since 2010. He works both on the Cup telecasts and in the booth for the Camping World Truck Series telecasts on Fox Sports 1.

Alexander began working for MRN in 2000 in a variety of roles and worked as a pit reporter for Speed before becoming the play-by-play announcer for TNT in 2010. He also works for Fox Sports in a variety of racing and sports capacities.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“He tells it from a viewer’s point of view.”

“Professional, not goofy, reports the facts without trying to oversell the sport.”

“Knowledgeable, entertaining, not annoying.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from survey):

“Repeats himself a lot.”

“He talks as if he knows everything and is talking down to someone.”

“He is a great pit reporter but he is not good as the lead play-by-play guy.”

The No. 1 pick in the 1986 NBA draft and a five-time NBA all-star with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Daugherty wore the No. 43 throughout his NBA career in honor of Richard Petty. The North Carolina native and former UNC Tar Heel is the co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing. He previously worked as a basketball analyst for ESPN and ABC and various NBA teams before joining ESPN’s NASCAR coverage team in 2007.

Why he’s the best (comments from survey):

“Brad has a genuine learned appreciation for the sport; he was not bred into it. He comes at issues from both an intelligent, fact-based perspective, but still has a lot of fun. (Like his) 'put a fork in it.’”

“Brings excitement and honesty to the sport.”

“He is fair and a good man.”

Why he’s the worst (comments from survey):

“A basketball player on NASCAR? This guy makes the most cliché remarks out there.”

“As much as I liked him when he played for Carolina, why is a basketball player, who obviously knows nothing about the sport, even one of the commentators? Also, he is very biased toward certain drivers.”

“Mr. Daugherty's lack of motorsports experience is evident every time he opens his mouth. He brings his role of a car owner to the booth. As a journalist, that has no place in the booth. He gives misinformation frequently and then argues with established members of the racing community.”

“Is too quick to criticize what drivers or teams are doing when he doesn't seem to have the answers for his own team. Too sarcastic.”

“They do a great job of making the race fun and making the race prestigious and getting the viewer engaged in the outcome.”

“The No. 1 reason is because it's Fox, which means you don't need cable/satellite to tune in. They also do a better job "getting the shot,” rarely missing something that happens on track. Good energy in the booth.”

ESPN

“All three guys in the booth are unbiased, fun to listen to, and know what they are talking about. They don't show Danica 10 times per race or show blatant favoritism in the booth.”

“Better analysis, less idle chatter. … ESPN guys tend to have more to say that is directly related to the on-track event.”

“There are no frills and they don't try to turn race coverage into a sideshow, focusing on predetermined storylines or over-hyping certain drivers. The announcers are also professional and do not try to take the attention away from the race and put it onto themselves.”

“Straightforward, intelligent analysis; not over-produced. Caters more to current fans' desires instead of trying to hook new fans through gimmicky segments.”

“Covers a wider variety of storylines. Announcers not afraid to go against the party line. More realistic coverage and not one long NASCAR infomercial.”